The Olympics are over. The opening and closing ceremonies were spectacular. There was plenty of great competition and drama all throughout the Olympics. While I am usually apathetic towards the Olympics, I do find myself now looking forward to the future, the 2016 Olympics, which I predict will be held in my hometown, Chicago.

As I wrote in the May 2008 issue of Global Traveler magazine (back issues are still available), the 2016 Olympics would really showcase the ascension of Chicago to world-class status. During the reign of Mayor Richard M. Daley, Chicago has evolved from a gritty city where things got done to a beautiful, smoothly functioning city where things are always happening. Chicago would be the perfect place for the event in 2016.

Of course, as a publication distributor, the Olympics would present a logistical nightmare beyond imagination for me. Several regular city events, like Jazz Fest, Venetian Night, etc. already wreak havoc with distribution. The Taste of Chicago is a 10-day traffic jam, which requires our distribution crews to reroute and reschedule their usual deliveries. Still, these events are part of the fabric of Chicago, and my inconvenience is a small price to pay.

The Olympics would make all of these other events look minor in comparison. Of course, my logistical headaches would be astronomical, but I am willing to make that sacrifice for the good of the city.

I do think it would only be fitting to bring softball back to the Olympics for 2016. As it stands now, softball (and baseball) will not be part of the 2012 event, but could be voted back for 2016. Chicago would be the perfect place to see softball reinstated.

If I may take a step further, I would like to see 16-inch slow-pitch softball be at least a demonstration sport. This is Chicago’s very own. It is a game of skill and strategy. Some may scoff at this version of softball (Fran), but I maintain that it is the most enjoyable and competitive version of the game. There is true beauty in this game.

I guarantee that if Chicago gets the Olympics, there will be plenty of television features on our pizza, beer, sausage, etc. They will highlight the Sears Tower, Water Tower Place, Navy Pier and Millennium Park. Oprah, Richard Roeper and Jim Belushi will scramble for the spotlight. However, if they really want to showcase the heart and soul of Chicago, softball must take its rightful place with the other sports.

-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist

I recently rediscovered a favorite past time from my youth. As a youngster, I was a devout Philadelphia Phillies fan, particularly during the 1993 and 1994 seasons, which included a World Series run against the Toronto Blue Jays. I clearly remember the day I got the autograph of my favorite player, center fielder Lenny Dykstra. It was such a momentous event that I wrote essays for school about the experience. As a softball player myself those days, I tried to emulate Lenny’s stance every time I stepped up to the plate.

This summer, I have rediscovered America’s favorite past time with vigor, purchasing a partial season ticket package for the Phillies this year. And, it has been a great season for my rediscovery. The Phils were off to a strong season, standing strong at number 1 for most of the season. While a few series against the American League were less than stellar, the Phils recently swept the Braves and struggled against the Mets. But, the last 3 games I went to at Citizens Bank Park (a wonderful new stadium that harkens back to stadiums of the past), were sold-out. The energy in the stadium is exciting.

And my favorite player? Well, of course, once again, it is the center fielder, Shane Victorino, also known as the Flying Hawaiian. Recent trade talks have left me very upset. But the entire Phillies team this season are wonderful to watch and so many of them are truly great ball players, like Chase Utley, Pat Burrell, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, Jimmy Rollins and Jayson Werth. And, of course, the 33-year-old rookie, Chris Coste.

While I have always been a Phillies fan at heart and followed their progress, attending the games this season, watching them on TV and getting to know the team again has made this a stellar summer. Another great blast from the past!

-Kimberly Krol, circulation and public relations executive

From 1966 through 1984, Rick Monday was a very good outfielder for the Oakland A’s, the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hit 241 home runs in his career and one big home run to propel the Dodgers into the 1981 World Series (which they won). Monday has been a broadcaster for the Dodgers since 1993.

On April 25, 1976, Rick Monday jumped from the sports pages onto the front pages and became a part of the patriotic history of the United States. While playing centerfield for the Cubs during a game at Dodger Stadium, Monday made the play of his career.

It was during the fourth inning and the Dodgers were batting. Two fans jumped out of the left field stands and ran onto the field. They raced past left fielder Jose Cardenal and stopped around short left-centerfield. They spread out the U.S. flag and proceeded to attempt to set it on fire.

At this point, the alert Monday was already in full sprint towards the dastardly duo. Monday reached down and grabbed the flag without breaking stride. Monday received a standing ovation from the L.A. crowd, the first of many he would receive for the rest of the season.

In my recent interview with Monday before a Dodgers-Cubs game in Los Angeles, his emotions about the event were still strong. “I was mad. I was mad that in my mind what they were doing was wrong in 1976 and to this day nothing has changed that thought,” he stated. “They were trying to desecrate the flag, which represents a lot of rights and freedoms and people have given their lives representing those rights and freedoms.”

Monday still downplays his heroism, stating that he “was just geographically close enough to do something” about the flag burning attempt. “I just reacted because that’s the way I was raised,” Monday explained. His upbringing was reinforced by six years in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. Monday continued, “I was angered by the moment…fortunately, I don’t have to answer the question of why didn’t you stop it?”

As an 11-year-old Cubs fan, I just happened to be watching the historic game. I didn’t quite understand the gravity of what I was watching, but I knew Monday did something special, something that went well beyond the box score. Monday ended up getting 3 hits in the game, but it is the defensive play he made which will remembered always.

AP Photo/Los Angeles Herald Examiner, James Roark

-John Wroblewski, patriotic distribution specialist (and Rick Monday fan)

Spring is in the air and although it is still in the 40s here in Chicago, softball season is just days away!

Softball was invented in Chicago as an indoor winter version of baseball. It has since grown into a very popular sport, especially in the United States. It is hard to find a park without softball games during the summer in Chicago.

There are many leagues of various play, including 12 inch (with gloves), 16 inch (without gloves) and even 14 inch (a very soft ball usually played by co-rec teams). The leagues range from ultra-competitive (semi-pro) to ‘over 50′ beer leagues.

My introduction to league play came through a co-rec work team. We played with a 14-inch ball, often called a mushball. In most co-rec leagues, men and women must alternate in the batting order. We were horrible, often losing many more games than we won, but we did have fun. I played a lot of positions, but none too well, until I was converted to a pitcher. As our company shrank, due to fiscal cutbacks, it became increasingly difficult to field a team. After our 5th season, we disbanded.

Fortunately for me, I hooked up with (fellow GT’er) Louie Atsaves’ men’s team as a backup. After a few years, I became the regular catcher. Usually we play 16-inch softball in the summer and 12-inch softball in the fall.

We are a competitive team, usually making the playoffs, although never winning the championship. I have broken a few fingers and a few other bones. I have struck out and been picked off base. However, I have also gotten key hits along the way.

I really enjoy playing and seeing the guys. Over the years, many have gotten married and now some of their kids are at the games (I swear Louie’s 7-year-old is going to take my spot any day now). As we get older and life gets busier, softball often is one of the few times every week when I can totally relax.

One great thing about softball is that it really can be played by almost anyone. There are so many types of leagues out there, you are sure to find a good fit if you are interested. I have played in many types and have enjoyed all of them.

-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist

I was a huge baseball fan as a kid. As I grew older, baseball became increasingly less important. At some point, I found myself barely following baseball, not even my beloved Cubs. I did miss it, but I was busy (college, work, friends, dates…).

On a fishing trip to Canada in 1995, I was lured back to baseball by Scott “Swede” Olofsson, who told me about his rotisserie baseball league. In early 1996, Swede called me and officially invited me into the Boone League. This was perfect. I had a reason now to start following baseball again.

There were 7  teams, including mine, which I named the Bashers, although they have never lived up to that moniker. The other 6 included Swede’s Hoosiers, the Fightin’ Fury (Mike Fuhr), the Rookies (Ron Siemens), the Racers (Rick Nicola), the Bombers (John Aschbacher) and Joes Not the Joes (John Cardone). The Roaches (Jason Farber) were added 2 years later.

This is my 13th year in the Boone League and I have created a legacy of mediocrity. Actually, mediocrity would be an overstatement. The Bashers have been dismal, sad, atrocious, hapless (you get the picture). I chalked up the first couple of horrible years as part of the learning curve. However, after that, I really have no excuse.

Oh sure, sometimes I fell victim to selecting certain players who I favored (like Jeff Conine, Robin Ventura, Dante Bichette, Shawn Green….okay, a bit more than sometimes), rather that pursuing better players, but that alone does not account for 11 finishes in the league’s nether regions. There really is no logical explanation for this type of ineptitude.

I had one promising year. In 2000, the Bashers took off immediately and stayed in first most of the season. Unfortunately, my team was decimated with injuries that season and I limped into September, still in 1st, but with my roster badly depleted. I actually sank to 5th in the final standings.

It is frustrating and even somewhat embarrassing. I have thought about quitting, putting the Bashers out of their misery. This would save me heartache, as well as being the league Commish every other year (whoever finishes in last gets that “honor” the next season).

In the end, though, it comes down to more than baseball stats. It is about Swede’s $1 up-bids, Mike’s messy roster sheets and Rick bidding on players he doesn’t even know. It’s also about Johnny A., John C. (or is that Joe?), Ron and Jay. All great guys. In the end, I have rediscovered a love for baseball and I have made a bunch of great friends.

But, lest you think this blog has a happy ending, it is barely a week into the 2008 season and my Bashers are already in last place.

-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist